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Timely advice from Silverdale Volunteer Fire Brigade

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Yet again in February, the Fire Service attended a late night house fire where the family was lucky to escape – sadly, their pet dog was not so lucky.

What is not fully appreciated when there is a house fire is the loss of personal items, photos and gifts. your home and make sure you and your family are fire safe. These visits can be arranged by phoning 0800 NZ FIRE (0800 693 473). You may even be eligible for a free smoke alarm.

Access to your property, especially in the rural environment and those with long driveways, needs to be considered. Our appliances need 3mt high and 3mt wide access – so, if you have overhanging trees or obstacles, please trim or remove them.

In 80% of the fires we attend, smoke alarms are either not installed or not working.

The Fire Service recommends long-life photoelectric smoke alarms installed in every bedroom, hallway and living area. These can be purchased from any good hardware store.

Develop an escape plan with your family and make sure you have, if possible, two ways out of every room.

Station Officer Dave Lattimore Silverdale Volunteer Fire Brigade

If you know someone who doesn’t have any smoke alarms, please note that the Fire Service offers free Home Fire Safety Visits to all households in New Zealand. Fire-fighters will visit

AT

IN MARCH ____

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Dealing with life’s unexpected challenges - what’s your Plan B?

Over recent decades, the pace, stress and demands of the modern lifestyle has seen an increase in the incidence of numerous medical conditions, particularly cancer, cardiovascular disease and strokes – the “big three.”

Why is it, that with all the medical advances of the past 50 years, these illnesses are still on the increase?

While in some cases genetics may play a role, arguably, it is largely because we have been avoiding responsibility for our own health: failing to choose a healthy lifestyle and instead relying on prescription medicines which often treat only the symptoms and not the underlying causes of our health problems.

Unquestionably, our first defence for protection of our health is to eat real, nutritious, and, ideally, organic whole-foods. Many people now recognise the health benefits of eating foods rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, monounsaturated fats, fibre etc, do exercise, minimise stress and get adequate sleep. However, the reality is that, despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle, life can still present us with unexpected health challenges.

So; given that these things can strike anyone at random, what is your Plan B? How would you deal with such situations when life throws us a curve-ball and we, or a loved one, gets ill, or – sadly – a loved one dies?

The answer is personal insurance, which is a sound platform for your Plan B. This can include a variety of lump-sum products, monthly benefit covers or private medical cover. An insurance plan can be tailored to meet your specific needs at a premium that is manageable.

Having a contingency plan in place for those tough financial times that may arise owing to sickness, accident, or losing a loved one, is one of the smartest and wisest decisions you will ever make.

Theo Simeonidis is a Registered Financial Adviser, living and working in Millwater, and specialising in personal and business insurances. He is also able to provide a one-stop-shop for fire and general insurances.

For assistance on any personal or business insurances, Theo can be contacted on 027 248 9320 or 09 528 8724 or email theo@uprotectnz.com. Any such assistance is provided on a free, no-obligation basis.

Theo’s disclosure statement is available free of charge on request.

Locals helping locals

Proud to support Silverdale School

Cnr of Millwater Parkway and Bankside Rd, Miilwater Grayson & Sarah Furniss

Tel: 09 426 6122 Mob: 021 665 423 grayson.furniss@mikepero.com www.mikepero.com

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